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By ApplianceGuy On March 3, 2009
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It seems everyone is getting back to the basics these days. With all that going on in the economy, many people are stepping back a little and examining how they can conserve money and time without compromising their daily lifestyle too much.
Cooking for yourself or your family can save you a good bit of dough, and if done right a good bit of time.
Some see cooking to be a tiresome and time consuming task that they would rather not venture into. A slow cooker can, if used correctly, give you the time you need without the rush to find something to eat at the end of a long work day.
Getting that balance between your time and money is the real key.
So in steps the crock pot…
Or should I say the slow cooker, because the version we have today is more commonly called a slow cooker, and it is very different than what we used just a few years ago, and drastically different than your mothers old crock pot.
Many of the new slow cookers have gone digital, and have set it and forget it timers. So with just a modest amount of effort, you could have a meal setup in the morning, and ready for you when you return from work.
You wont see those paisley flowered ones your mother had anymore, but what you will see, especially at the higher end are the shiny stainless steal slow cookers, that really look nice today’s kitchens. They are not only highly functional but also have stylish look that can really brighten up your kitchen.
the types sizes and pricing can differ somewhat. They can range form $20.00 all the way up to $200. Your choice should depend on the size capacity and your budget.
The LA Times just posted a great piece about the slow cooker comeback that inspired this post, and me to go our and buy myself a slow cooker. For some reason it is one of the few kitchen appliances that I haven’t used much in the past. I’ll post my experiences on which one I bought and how I like it in a future post
According the the LA Times slow cooking article…
Today, about 83% of American households own a slow cooker, according to the NPD Group, a leading marketing research firm. Of these households, almost half used a slow cooker within the past month.
That a lot slow cookin going on. I guess I need to find a few recipes to use so that I can use me when I recive it. Although, I guess it would come with some. Hopefully!
Recent Posts
By ApplianceGuy On October 26, 2008
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Until recently I stopped at my local coffee company every morning on my way to work. I’d order a double shot of Espresso and go on my merry way. Recently, I realized that I needed to cut back a bit on my expenses if I ever wanted to take that trip to Europe I’ve been planning forever. When I looked at my bank account statement I was shocked at how much I’d been spending every month on Espresso!
First, I tried to cut it out of my diet entirely. This left me irritable as I’d clearly become used to the caffeine. It also left a hole in my morning. I hadn’t realized how attached I was to my morning routine, and without my morning cup of Espresso I really didn’t feel like the day had started out right.
A friend recommended I go out and buy my own easy to use Espresso machine. I laughed at first, thinking it was too expensive of a purchase when I was trying to save money. But as I slowly started slipping up and going back to my coffee shop once, twice then three times a week I re-thought the idea.
I went online to check out the prices on different stand alone Espresso machines and was really surprised to see that there were a lot of affordable options. In fact, after I bought the machine I only had to use it for two weeks before I’d already broken even by not purchasing the Espresso at the local coffee shop.
When I was looking for machines it was important to me to get a simple user friendly Espresso machine that didn’t have a lot of confusing bells and whistles. I’d never made my own before and was concerned that it would be difficult to use or too complicated to use quickly. However, I found a great inexpensive Espresso machine that came with very clear directions on how to use it.
I can’t say enough about how much my sleek and affordable Espresso machine has improved my mornings. Now I can make my coffee first thing in the morning and sit on my porch in my pajamas and enjoy the morning hours. It’s a much more peaceful time than slurping it down in my car! Not to mention the money it’s saved. It was definitely a great investment.
By ApplianceGuy On October 18, 2008
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When you think about the different kitchen appliances you use the most, you probably won’t think of blenders. These may be one of the most under rated and under used kitchen appliances in today’s society. They can be used for so many different purposes.
First of all, good ice-crushing blenders are the best because they have the ability to just about liquefy anything that you put into it. Some common uses for this would be if you were making a real fruit juice such as tomato juice or a variety of fruit juices all in one.
Another common use for these convenient kitchen appliances is to create slush drinks. Using that ice-crushing ability and a little sugary sweet flavoring, a person can easily make mouth watering snow cones or smoothies with real fruit put into them.
Milkshakes are also a good use for a sturdy powerful blender. Just add some milk and a little ice cream and blend it together to make a classic milk shake. When you are finished the convenience and portability of the appliance allows for easy cleaning and storing in cabinets.
When you look to buy a well proven countertop blender, you need to really look at all of its components. Some will come with a little spout for easy serving. Others will have a large variety of speed settings and abilities. For example, some might only be able to handle soft foods while others can chop up even the hardest nuts and grains.
Now that you see the advantages to having a well designed blender in your kitchen, you can begin to think of the numerous possibilities and concoctions you might be able to make. If you already have one, bring it out of the cabinets and give it some use because it is well worth the effort to make a good smoothie.
By ApplianceGuy On October 5, 2008
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There are many different slow cookers on the market today with a wide variety of prices. The biggest difference between many of the different models comes in what they will do automatically or not. How much you want to spend and what you want for your family’s needs is the biggest factor in which one to choose.
The Cuisinart 6.5 Quart Slow Cooker is one of the most expensive on the market at around $250.00. It has a removable cooking pot inside of the warming part of the pot for easy cleaning and once a built in timer that you can set. Once the timer has gone off the pot will switch automatically to the warm setting to keep the food warm if you are stuck in traffic on your way home from work.
There are other, less expensive options out there as well. One good one is the Rival Stay or Go Slow Cooker. It is a six quart model that features a secure lid that also includes a serving spoon. There are handles for easy transport and three setting, high, low, and keep warm. While the inside is removable for easy cleanup there is no feature to automatically switch to warm. The Rival retails for around thirty dollars.
The amount that you spend on a slow cooker can vary widely so just take into account what you will be using it for most of the time. If it will serve primarily to keep food warm at the holiday you may look for different options than if you use it to cook your meal while you work.
Also, if you go to a lot of pot luck style events and use your slow cooker to transport food from one place to another then you would have different needs in a purchase of one than someone who only uses theirs at home. Take into account where you will be using your appliance before deciding on a model.
Size is another important factor. A single person may want to purchase a smaller version rather than a very large appliance that would cook more food than they would need. Check out all the options and then shop around for a good price. There are also some refurbished models to consider if you are looking at a pricey model. Using these tips can make your small appliance purchase a lasting choice.
By ApplianceGuy On September 28, 2008
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I love trying new appliances in my kitchen and remain loyal to some brands which have worked well for me. My kitchen has all the latest appliances found in modern kitchens. One appliance without which I cannot function is my blender.
I had a Big Boss blender which gave up on me after years of service. I was happy with it but had a problem – it was difficult to clean as the whole appliance had to be taken to the sink was washing. I had always to ensure that no water entered the appliance and it would be difficult to clean.
My new one is the sleek and stylish Cuisinart CSB-77 Smart Stick Hand Blender. I need it to do anything and everything in the kitchen. It gets my work done fast and efficiently. The most important feature of this appliance is that it is detachable for cleaning. There are release buttons provided on the appliance which when pressed, releases the plastic stem from the attachment. This makes it easy to clean and I can do so under the tap without any problem.
My Cuisinart Hand Blender makes my cooking job easy. I use it to make milk shakes like banana shake, mango shake, etc. I easily make various shakes with this appliance using the measuring jug. It ensures exact measurements of liquids and I do not have to use a separate measuring instrument.
Blending gets done evenly with my appliance. When I need to mix flour with liquids it is very difficult if done manually. Moreover it always left behind lumps of flour. Now with the use of my blender it is easy to blend flour with liquids without any residual lumps. So I do not have any problem anymore and my work is done efficiently and in less time.
It also has a chopping attachment which is a great help in the kitchen. When I have parties or family get together at my house this attachment comes to my rescue. It makes the task of chopping very easy and I can easily makes pastes of mint, coriander, ginger, garlic etc according to my requirement.
and lastly, this appliance has a single pulse speed operation for better speed control, a stainless steel multi functional blade and a wall bracket. The appliance can be mounted on the wall bracket to save space. It is light weight and gives an easy and comfortable grip. See the Cuisinart CSB-77 Smart Stick Hand Blender reviews here.
By ApplianceGuy On September 6, 2008
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George Foreman has created a name for himself with the introduction of his easy to use george forman grill. He has since sold millions these handy appliances since then. You may own one or two yourself.
Over the years he has expanded and perfected the art of in home grilling with the expansion from this one grill to several doz models.
The George Foreman GRP90WGR Next Grilleration Removable Plate Grill is one of the latest in his collection of exceptional
electric grills. Yes, Exceptional is a strong word, but judging by the George Foreman GRP90WGR reviews you can see why.
Okay, so why should you like it? For starters, other than the obvious, It makes great burgers. How about steaks?? Yes it can grill steaks, and also vegetables, and a host of other foods.
How about the introduction of the removable plates which make cleaning a breeze. Previous models didn’t have this feature, and this was one of the primary complaints of the older George Foreman models. This feature alone has propelled this grill the top.
There is also a new temperature control which can be used to speed up the cooking process, or slow it down if needed.
GRP90WGR Features:
• Electric grill with 84 square inches of cooking surface and endless cooking options
• 5 removable grill plates for making waffles, cooking paninis, grilling, baking, and griddle cooking
• Exclusive George Tough triple-coated, scratch-resistant, nonstick coating
• Generous handles stay cool to the touch; dishwasher-safe grilling plates
• Measures 12 x 8 1/4 inches; 1-year limited warranty
so, if your in the market for a new indoor grill, give the new George Foreman GRP90WGR an overview when your comparing brands I believe you will like what you see.
By ApplianceGuy On August 2, 2008
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I just came across this site through a post at elitalice.com. Whether your really into toaster are is one thing, but at the toaster museum you can view all the inventive designs from all the worlds brands that lead to the modern look of today’s standard kitchen toaster.
Try to imagine yourself coming up with a design of what you think a toaster should look like if there wasnt one to model it after. I bet yours would look as crazy as many of the one at the toaster museum.
By ApplianceGuy On July 13, 2008
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Need a tough and durable blender at great price? Generally the two wont be found together, but with the Oster 6684 12 speed blender, you can have your cake and eat it too.
The Oster 6684 has an all metal drive system and a powerful 550 watt motor. The blender jar is made of scratch resistant glass, and is dishwasher safe. It also has a 5 cup capacity and features a pulse controlled ice crusher.
As blenders go, this one is farily quite and is priced just right at around $35-$40
Features:
• 450-watt countertop blender mixes smoothies, frozen drinks, soups, and more
• Easy toggle speed control provides continuous, smooth blending for 12 speeds
• Exclusive All-Metal Drive system; stainless-steel ice-crushing blade; pulse option
• Dishwasher-safe 5-cup glass jar with generous handle; lid with measuring cap
• Measures approximately 7 by 11 by 15 inches; 1-year limited warranty
Oster has a great reputation in the kitchen appliance industry and their blenders are top notch.
for more detail check out the Oster 6684 blender reviews on the item page.
By ApplianceGuy On July 6, 2008
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If your a big tea drinker, or just like to brew fresh tea by the cup, then the BRAUN WK200B AquaExpress Electric Water Kettle might be of interest to you.
The Braun Aqua Express is easier to use and quieter then most. The kettle is very sturdy and doesn’t get hot when you boil water. Just the water gets hot, and it stays hot for quite a long time. It is quick and efficient.
You can even view the water boiling on both sides because the heating element is in the middle of the kettle which keeps the base cool to the touch.
When the Lid is released or the Kettle is lifted from base charger it will automatically shut itself off.
You will find that the cord can be wrapped around the bottom of the base plate and can be extended when needed about a about a foot and 1/2.
Product Features:
- Cordless
- Quickly Heats up to 7 Cups of Water
- Cool Touch
- Auto Power Off When Lid is released or Kettle is lifted from base charger
- 54 Ounce Capacity
Box Dimensions:
- Length: 9.57
- Width: 7.83
- Height: 10
- Weight: 3.50
The Braun WK200B may be a bit more expensive than other electric kettle models, but I think you will find it worth a little bit extra.
For More information regarding braun appliances you can visit there website directly
By ApplianceGuy On June 30, 2008
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Consumer reports has posted the results of a poll in which that ask a variety of questions. Namely
what in your kitchen? and then the one that got my attention, was the one where small appliances were
named as the chief culprit of cluttered kitchens.
The article covers everything from Dinner, Cooking & Cleanup, Entertainment, Appliance and Green
Kitchens
Its actually a pretty interesting read, consumer reports does a kitchen / appliance issue about every 6 months or so.I kinda watch out for those ya know 
By ApplianceGuy On June 15, 2008
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Buy The Rachael Ray Cookware Set
Rachael Ray’s fame is know far and wide due to her terrific food networks shows like 30 minute meals, that have propelled her to a household name in short time.
With her newfound adoration and knowledge of cooking, she has been able to come up with her own line of cookware, under her own namesake brand of Rachael Ray Cookware.
Cookware is a big and tough market to break into no matter who you are, but through new designer styles and colors Rachael Ray’s Cookware is really taking off.
The Rachael Ray 10-Piece Cookware Set Features:
- Set contains 1-1/2- and 3-quart covered saucepans; 6-quart covered stockpot; 3-quart/10-inch covered saut ; 8- and 10-inch French skillets
- Hard-anodized aluminum construction with nonstick finish
- Soft-grip bright orange silicone handles are oven-safe to 400 degrees F
- Glass lids allow cooking monitoring without sacrificing heat and nutrient
- Washing by hand recommended; limited lifetime warranty
A Resent customer review
I absolutely love this cookware set. The cushy orange foam on the handles makes it so easy to handle the cookware and adds some vibrant color to my kitchen at the same time. This set distributes heat well and evenly. I am so glad that I purchased this set and look forward to adding more Rachel Ray items to my kitchen collection.
Included in the Rachael Ray Cookware set are 1-1/2- and 3-quart covered saucepans; 8- and 10-inch open French skillets; a 6-quart covered stockpot for big batches of pasta and chili; and a 3-quart/10-inch covered sauté pan.